Harlequin Pinscher vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison

Harlequin Pinscher vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed ComparisonBoth Harlequin Pinscher and German Spitz (Klein) are originated from Germany. Both Harlequin Pinscher and German Spitz (Klein) are having almost same height. Both Harlequin Pinscher and German Spitz (Klein) are having almost same weight. Both Harlequin Pinscher and German Spitz (Klein) has same life span. Both Harlequin Pinscher and German Spitz (Klein) has almost same litter size. Harlequin Pinscher requires Low maintenance. But German Spitz (Klein) requires Moderate maintenance

History

harlequin pinscher - historyThis toy-sized dog is a type of Miniature Pinscher originating in Germany. The dog was developed by crossing traditional Miniature Pinschers with other toy-sized short-haired terriers. He falls into the Terrier category.

The dog was used to kill rats, but has always been a devoted pet at the same time. They nearly became extinct after World War II, but the breed was once again restored. Today it is an established breed, but it isn’t recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

In fact, The Harlequin Pinscher Association is the only breed club that recognizes the Harlequin Pinscher. It can be registered with the Harlequins Pinschers Association or with the American Canine Association.

german spitz klein - historyAlso referred to as the Miniature Spitz, the German Spitz is believed to have descended from the Nordic Samoyed and Lapphund. Some dog experts say they were developed from the larger European Spitz, and that they were once referred to as Pomeranians.

It is also thought that these dogs were in all likelihood brought over to Germany during the Middle Ages. This gives you an idea as to how ancient the breed is. There are actually 4 different Spitz breeds, divided by their sizes.

The dogs were originally used as herding and guard dogs, but today you could say that this toy breed is essentially a companion dog.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Germany
Germany
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
25 - 23 cm
9 - 10 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
1 - 5
Size:
Toy dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Spotted Pinscher, Merle Pinscher, Harlequin Miniature Pinscher, Harlequin Min Pin
Deutscher Spitz Klein
Colors Available:
brown, Black, brindle or piebald, fawn patterns of merle, red
black or mixture of these, Fawn, reddish, brown, cream
Coat:
Short and smooth
Long, dense and straight
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

harlequin pinscher puppy - descriptionThis is a small compact dog standing at 25 – 33cm in height and weighing about 3kg to 4 or 5kg. He has dark eyes and ears which are set high and which are erect with just the top of them folding forwards.

The legs are straight and thin with small cat-like shaped paws. The tail is traditionally cropped, but these days the tail is left longer. He has a short coat which is available in a range of colors – black, brown, red, fawn patterns of merle, brindle or piebald. The Harlequin Pinscher is like a Bambi or a small deer, especially when they're a bit long in the leg.

Temperament:

Alert and inquisitive, the Harlequin Pinscher is a feisty, devoted little dog, brave and loyal and he has a lot of energy. He is intelligent too and with training and socialization, he becomes such a pleasure to have around, obedient and responding well to instructions.

He is known to be good with other pets as well as with children, so long as the children have been taught to respect animals. As always, a dog pretty much turns out the way the owners are, and with training and firmness while being patient and fair, you don’t have to worry about your Harlequin turning into a ‘small dog syndrome’ animal – whining, snappy and disagreeable. He is actually described as a big dog in a tiny dog's body.

The Harlequin Pinscher is a social dog and wants to be with you wherever you go.

german spitz klein puppy - descriptionClassified as a toy breed, the German Spitz Klein looks like a small fox with his thick fur. He stands at between 23 – 28cm in height and he weighs 5 to 10kg.

He has a sharp foxy face with small pointed upright ears and dark, bright eyes.

The double coat of the dog which can be fawn, cream, reddish, brown or black or a mixture of these colors, is straight, vibrant and off-standing to look at. He has a soft woolly undercoat. The tail of the dog curls up over the back.

Temperament:

The German Spitz Klein has got such a bright little face. He is a social, friendly dog, forming a strong bond with his human family. He is a smart dog too and can be easily trained.

Lively and independent, he is bold and adventurous. Even with a small dog like this, he will do well to be trained and socialized as he just becomes a better dog -obedient and relaxed around strange people and dogs.

Because of his size, he adapts well to life in the city or in the countryside. This is also because he doesn’t require a lot of exercise. The litter size for the German Spitz Klein is between 1 and 5 puppies.

Characteristics

harlequin pinscher dog - characteristicsThe Harlequin Pinscher may have once been good at catching rats but these days they are much more sought after for their ability to be a splendid companion and pet.

He is such an entertaining, social little dog, wanting to spend as much time with you as possible. He is fearless, energetic, playful, confident, loving and intelligent and those who have owned them say they are courageous way beyond their size.

He is strong willed, stubborn and confident and this larger-than-life dog is just waiting to show you what a wonderful friend he can be to you too.

german spitz klein dog - characteristicsThis litle dog is seriously a case of ‘dynamite in a small package’. Bold, daring, brave, spunky, clever, playful and friendly, your confident little German Spitz Klein makes most families the perfect pet and companion.

Give him the love and attention he deserves, especially because he is undemanding and low maintenance, and with good care you’re going to have a most adoring companion for more than a decade.

Health Problems

harlequin pinscher puppies - health problemsHarlequin Pinschers, just like other dog breeds, have health issues that they are prone to such as epilepsy, dental issues, obesity and Patellar Luxation.

Epilepsy or Seizures:

Some seizures in dogs are genetic or related to illness. A dog could have ingested something poisonous while a head injury can also cause seizures in dogs. If your pet has a seizure you may notice foaming at the mouth, drooling or twitching of the legs.

After a seizure you could see your dog walking in circles and bumping into things. It is important to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

german spitz klein puppies - health problemsYou’ve got a pretty healthy little dog breed but be that as it may, it doesn’t make him totally immune to some of the common dog diseases there are. With him, you might want to look out for eye disease and epilepsy.

Glaucoma:

Glaucoma occurs when there is pressure in the eye. Your dog will have pain, red eyes, dilated pupils, increased tear production and corneal cloudiness. You want to have him at the vet for this because putting off treatment can lead to blindness.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

This is a condition that can gradually lead to blindness even though the eyes look normal. Difficulty with seeing at night is one symptom. Fortunately the condition is painless and your dog finds ways to cope with the problem.

It is always a good idea when you suspect anything wrong with your pet, to get him to the vet as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

harlequin pinscher dogs - caringThe short, smooth coat of the Harlequin Pinscher is easy to maintain, shedding little. With such a small, nimble dog, you can even take a damp cloth and wipe him down. You can brush him down once or twice a week to keep his coat healthy and shiny.

Dogs can develop dental problems such as tartar and plaque build-up. and this can lead to canine dental problems which can turn life-threatening as bad teeth affect the heart, kidneys and the liver.

You need to brush your pet's teeth 2 or 3 times a week making use of canine toothbrush and toothpaste. Never use regular human toothpaste for your dog as it can be poison to him. It is why dry kibble is better than soft food as the soft food sticks to the dogs teeth.

Diet:

Your Harlequin Pinscher is also a member of the toy breed group and he has high energy levels. Always choose a high quality kibble for a small dog breed and also which is in keeping with his age and activity levels. He will do well on a high quality dry commercial food, some raw meat or home-cooked food such as chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables. If your dog is an energetic dog, he will benefit from a diet rich in protein.

It will be tempting to feed your little pet tasty treats such as chocolate, nuts, coffee and milk but be careful as these can cause severe digestive problems with your dog.

Diet:

german spitz klein dogs - caringAs a feisty small-sized dog breed, your foxy little German Spitz Klein needs to get the very best food there is. If you are going to feed him a high-quality commercial dog food, make sure to read the ingredients on the packaging and buy him food according to his size and age. Mix in some home-made food from time to time and always ensure he has constant access to cool, fresh drinking water.

Grooming:

He has a fairly long, thick coat, so a good brush twice a week will be adequate. While you’re brushing him, check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Always check his teeth and brush them a couple of times a week too. Bad teeth can cause a host of problems, not only with the teeth, but other parts of the body too.

Exercise:

He is an active, jaunty little dog that loves all kinds of games. Being a small breed, he isn’t going to be the kind of dog that you need to include in your jogging or cycling trips, but he is no couch potato, and he will love to go on a walk with you, and it also does him good to get out and about for a change of scenery.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Harlequin Pinscher vs Biewer - Breed Comparison
  2. Morkie vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  3. Havanese vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  4. Pekingese vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  5. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Russian Toy Terrier vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Phalene vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  8. Harlequin Pinscher vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  10. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  11. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  13. Harlequin Pinscher vs Bichonpoo - Breed Comparison
  14. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  15. Harlequin Pinscher vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  16. Harlequin Pinscher vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  17. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  18. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  19. Harlequin Pinscher vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  20. Harlequin Pinscher vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  21. Harlequin Pinscher vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  22. Harlequin Pinscher vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  23. Harlequin Pinscher vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  24. Shih Tzu vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Pomeranian vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  26. Maltese vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  27. Pug vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  28. Maltipoo vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  29. Papillon vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  30. Japanese Chin vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature English Bulldog vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  32. Italian Greyhound vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  33. Jug vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Pinscher vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spitz (Klein) vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spitz (Klein) vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  37. German Spitz (Klein) vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  38. German Spitz (Klein) vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  39. German Spitz (Klein) vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  40. German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. German Spitz (Klein) vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  42. German Spitz (Klein) vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  43. German Spitz (Klein) vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  44. German Spitz (Klein) vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Klein) vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Klein) vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  47. German Spitz (Klein) vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  48. German Spitz (Klein) vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  49. German Spitz (Klein) vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds